Excerpt from Origin of Masonry, State of New Jersey, and the Entire Proceedings of the Grand Lodge: First Organization, A. L. 5786

The undersigned long had it in contemplation to preserve and give to the Craft the History of Masonry in New Jersey, and to print the transactions recorded from the organization of the Grand Lodge, in 1786, to this time.

There being but one copy of the first fifty years, and that in manuscript, we should be remiss in our duty not to take the means to preserve the records of the past, and inform ourselves of what has transpired within that period.

Upon my coming into their possession in 1842, upon the decease of our lamented Grand Secretary, Brother John Mershon, I took this old minute book to a fire-proof vault for its better security, where it has been for several years, and having made some preliminary arrangements, collected what information of an authentic nature could be collected, leave was obtained to print the minutes at the last Communication, to wit:

"The Grand Secretary asked leave to print the Minutes of the Grand Lodge from its commencement, in 1786, together with the History of Masonry in this State anterior thereto, at his expense, which was, on motion, granted."

The Historical part of this volume has been kindly written by Past Grand Master William Silas Whitehead, to whom the Craft, and more especially myself, are under deep and lasting obligations for his zeal and labor employed in its compilation.

The publication has been gotten up with but one idea, that is, its preservation, and not with a view of reaping any pecuniary reward for the labor bestowed, and will be disposed of at cost; all the publisher expects will be a return of his actual outlay, from the liberal and intelligent Masons of the State of New Jersey.

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